Dating back to the First World War, Mafi has grown from a humble family operation in Salzburg, Austria to become one of the world’s leading providers of high quality and all-natural solid timber flooring.

Mafi was the first company in the world to design a lacquer-free, naturally oiled flooring surface and continues to pride itself on a strong environmental focus and catalogue of sustainable, future-oriented timber products. The company is headquartered in Sydney, Australia, and this year marks the launch of a full-scale operation in Singapore for the Asia Pacific market.

Mafi’s growing popularity in the region is no doubt linked to the wellness movement, which aligns strongly with the brand’s unwavering human and environmental focus. Instead of viewing their flooring products as an isolated fit out element, Mafi recognises their importance in crafting harmonious, healthy spaces that nurture occupant wellbeing.

Their chemical free, natural finish timber floors are ideal for creating warm, non-slip surfaces that are naturally antibacterial, self-cleaning, and extract atmospheric moisture, which otherwise contributes to the growth of germs and mould.

Rightly perceived as a natural alternative to synthetic materials such as laminate, concrete, and acrylic, timber is roundly regarded as a healthier choice than carpet or resilient flooring. Now, we have the research to back up what many before us have gleaned experientially: that timber is the ideal material for enhancing well-being within an interior space.

In their Health Benefits of Timber report, Planet Ark Environmental Foundation described the centrality of timber to creating spaces with many physiological, psychological, and environmental benefits.

These include improved air quality through humidity moderation, reduced blood pressure and heart rate, and improvements of a person’s emotional state. Of course, these effects are compounded with timber’s ability to sequester carbon for extended periods, making it a key means of fighting climate change.

Though Mafi floors are a valuable addition to any interior space, they are a particular favourite amongst designers of wellness spaces including dental practices, spas, and boutique fitness studios. Free of harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and formaldehyde, the floors support clean, healthy spaces that foster occupant wellbeing.

Yet the benefits of Mafi flooring are both environmental and aesthetic. Mafi’s signature all-natural oil finish allows designers unprecedented freedom to celebrate the distinctive beauty of raw, exposed timber, in addition to allowing them to explore the varied design potential of timber’s many species.

Mafi was the Official Partner of the Wellness Space for the INDE.Awards 2018 – reinforcing its dedication to promoting wellness in the region’s built environments.